Male accountancy graduates may find that they struggle to balance work and family life after a new report said many young fathers have a similar problem.
According to the research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, many are afraid to ask for flexible working hours and suffer in silence.
Almost half (45 per cent) of men take less than two weeks off work following the birth of their child, claiming that they cannot afford to take paternity leave.
Meanwhile, the study also showed that two-fifths of male workers feared asking for flexible hours in case their commitment to the job was called into question and damaged their promotion chances.
The commission has previously suggested that men should get two weeks of paternity leave at 90 per cent pay, as well as four months of dedicated parental leave - at least eight weeks of which should be at 90 per cent pay.
Family and Parenting Institute director of communications Sally Gimson said businesses should make it normal practice for men to take time off to perform their parental responsibilities.
"Many fathers want to spend more time with their children and all parents need to feel confident they can work flexibly," she added.
